We operate a small bed and breakfast towards the Havelock end of Queen Charlotte Dr and were dismayed to hear from our recent guests that, having consulted the Interislander's tourist information attendant prior to their berthing in Picton, they were advised not to travel to Havelock via the scenic route of Queen Charlotte Dr as it was too narrow and winding for tourists.

This smacks of ignorance from the Interislander tourist information person or, worse, dare I suggest, of promoting the proposed move to a Clifford Bay terminal by short-selling the many and varied attractions of Picton and its surrounds.

The scenic drive is exactly that, in all weathers. Tourists can take their time and enjoy it.

Instead our guests were directed to go via Blenheim, about which I have no complaints - its wineries, scenery, uncomplicated roads etc - but to be "warned off" the jewel of the Marlborough Sounds is quite unwarranted.

We are proud new arrivals to our little piece of Queen Charlotte's paradise and will do all in our capacity to sell it as such.